Is it a plateau or is it maintenance?

Lisa met her goal of losing 100 pounds by her 40th birthday, but the struggle continues. Click through to read about losing the first 100 pounds or click on the links below to read about the new challenges.More >>

Lisa met her goal of losing 100 pounds by her 40th birthday, but the struggle continues. Click through to read about losing the first 100 pounds or click on the links below to read about the new challenges.More >>

I tried writing in this space about a month ago and got three paragraphs into it before I gave up. I just feel like I'm saying the same things over and over and not making any real changes that stick. But all I can do is try again and keep trying until I get out of this rut.More >>

Claiming dependents on your taxes is usually a fairly straightforward procedure, but in some cases, more than one person (or couple filing jointly) will claim someone as a dependent, muddying the process

Claiming dependents on your taxes is usually a fairly straightforward procedure, but in some cases, more than one person (or couple filing jointly) will claim someone as a dependent, muddying the process

I guess it's time to admit it "out loud" – I've really been struggling since my birthday.

Up and down and up and down and up and down…

Thankfully, I seem to have backed down from my highest weight gain since hitting my 100-pounds-lost goal, but I also can't seem to get back down to, much less past, my lowest point.

About a month ago, I made a mistake in my weight tracker on the Weight Watchers site and the weight I recorded put me in maintenance. Even though I corrected the weight, the site still "thinks" I'm in maintenance and keeps giving me messages that my temporary gains are normal during this time.

At the same time, my mother (very concerned about me backsliding) keeps suggesting that I maintain for awhile, get comfortable and used to this weight, and then move on to more loss when I'm ready.

As much as it might shock her to read this, I think she might be on to something.

As far as I'm concerned, the difference between a plateau and maintenance is all mental.

When I'm trying my hardest and I'm focused and doing everything "right" and the scale still won't budge, that's a plateau.

When I'm taking it a little easier, logging fewer days at the gym and indulging a bit more and my weight reacts accordingly but stays within a specific range, that's maintenance.

To me, a plateau is frustrating and feels a little like a failure, while maintenance is its own kind of struggle, but ultimately feels like a success.

I think it's time to accept that I'm in a period of maintenance right now and embrace it – I'm at the lowest weight I've been in many, many years! I need to figure out my limits, do some thinking about new short- and long-term goals, get used to my body at this weight.

Then, when I'm ready, I can focus again on losing the rest of the weight I want to lose.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

*DISCLAIMER*: THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON OR PROVIDED THROUGH THIS SITE IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL CONSUMER UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATION ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE COMMENCING A DIET OR EXERCISE PROGRAM. USE OF THIS SITE AND ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON OR PROVIDED THROUGH THIS SITE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES.